Last week we acquired Silfa, a 13-week old Maine Coon pedigree kitten. She has a more detailed family history than I do (I'm not sure I could name any of my great-grandparents, but hers are available to view on the certificate we were given to guarantee her breeding).
She has already settled in well and has spent more time already in various laps than our previous cat did in his entire lifetime. She has an adorable habit of purring like a steam engine every time you pick her up and stroke her.
Silfa has found her place very quickly as a member of the family, and her bright little face cheers me up whenever I see her. It is hard to explain how much life is dominated by a chronic condition, especially when there is a permanent reminder of the disease in the form of near-constant pain. But having an animal like Silfa around is such a lifeline for me - it allows me to shift my focus away from myself and my daily struggle with pain and fatigue, towards a little bundle of fluff who needs love, care and attention.
I am not the only one who finds the presence of animals therapeutic. Studies have shown that spending time with a therapy dog whilst waiting for an outpatient appointment significantly reduces reported levels of pain and emotional distress http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22233395. The charity Pets as Therapy (www.petsastherapy.org) is devoted to bringing dogs and cats to sick and disabled people, in order to improve their quality of life.
And it's not just those with physical disabilities that benefit from pet therapy. Those with depression can also benefit from having an animal around (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bloomsbury/azoos/1994/00000007/00000003/art00006)
It is thought that caring for an animal reduces anxiety, helps to structure an owner's day, provides companionship and increases exercise levels, all of which help to improve quality of life. I wonder if the NHS started "prescribing" animals to patients whether they would see a long-term drop in the uptake of antidepressants and other medications?
I remember a wonderful drama that I saw a while ago called "After Thomas". The drama, based on a true story, was about a young Autistic boy whose love of his golden retriever dog helped him to understand other's thoughts and feelings (something that Autistic children often find hard). It's well worth a watch if you can get hold of a copy, although be prepared with a box of tissues when you watch it!
Those are my musings on the benefits of pets as therapeutic agents. I'll leave you with a gorgeous picture of our new cat poking her head through the bannisters...
